Most travelers who have ever spent hours crammed into the middle seat in the back of the plane have probably dreamt about flying first class someday.
Whether you've ever splurged on first class or not, you've probably heard all about the comfy seats, better food and service, and free drinks you get flying at the front of the plane. It's undoubtedly the best way to fly in the U.S., but compared to business and first class on long-haul international flights, the domestic first class experience can fall far short of luxury.
We recommend flying first class if you get the chance! But before you fork over your hard-earned cash or miles to do so, you should know what you're getting into. Here's what to know about flying first class in the U.S. and when it may not be worth the extra expense.
What to Expect When Flying Domestic First Class
Although it's a premium cabin, domestic first class is different from international first class or business class.
When flying internationally, you can typically expect a multi-course meal service, an enclosed suite with lie-flat seats, and then some.
However, when flying within the U.S., you get a lot less. Generally, you'll get the following with a first class ticket:
- Premium security screening
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding
- 1 carry-on and 1 personal item plus 2 checked bags
- A wider recliner seat with more legroom and seat recline than an economy seat
- Complimentary drink service (alcohol, coffee, juice, water)
- Complimentary catering (snacks on all flights and meal service on longer flights)
- Blanket, pillow, slippers, and/or amenity kit on some transpacific or transcontinental flights
- Lounge access for some transpacific or transcontinental flights
It's basically a slight step up from economy. If you happen to be flying to Hawaii or between the coasts, you'll probably get to enjoy a higher level of service. This means being provided full meals instead of snacks. Sometimes, you'll get dessert too!
Sometimes, you'll also get amenities like slippers and blankets, but your mileage may vary depending on the flight you're on.
For the most part, you don't get much on first class flights. As for catering, especially on shorter flights, you don't often get a full meal service either, but more likely just some snacks.
Read next: Business class vs. First Class: Which is Better for You?
When to Pass on Flying Domestic First Class
Unless you have elite status that regularly earns you complimentary upgrades to first class or you're somehow able to find a good cash and award fare, domestic first class may not be worth the extra money or miles you'd be forking over, especially if you're looking for a truly luxurious experience.
Sure, flying economy can be unpleasant if you're stuck in a cramped middle seat, but some passengers just need an aisle, exit row or extra legroom seat to survive their flight.
I will fly first class when I can, but only when it makes sense. Don't get me wrong, flying at the front of a plane in the U.S. could be an enjoyable experience, but it's a fry cry from international premium cabins.
Let's take a look at some of the reasons you may want to pass on flying domestic first class.
Your Seats Don't Lie-Flat
If you're hoping to get some sleep, you better be able to dose off without fully laying flat. Some airlines like JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines sell suites that lay flat into a bed-like seat for maximum comfort for passengers. Usually, you'll be able to find such seats on international business class flights, not domestic first class flights.
American, Delta, and United do have lie-flat seats in first class on a limited number of domestic routes, but you won't always be able to book them unless your flight is on a wide-body aircraft. If you book a first class ticket, you'll likely be sitting on a standard recliner seat. While it's wider with more recline than a typical economy seat, it's still a long ways from the comfort of a lie-flat seat.
The Flight is Too Short
For shorter flights, it's likely better to fly in coach since first class is not the most affordable way to travel, obviously.
Take a look at this hour-long flight from Seattle (SEA) to Portland (PDX). At its cheapest, a Delta basic economy fare would run you $69 one-way. Flying first class on this flight? It would cost you about double at $149.
On such a short flight, there's barely time for any real service in first class, so you're not getting the full experience.
Shorter flights also mean you might end up on a regional jet, like this Delta flight operated by SkyWest. You'll be flying on the Embraer E-175. First class cabins on domestic flights typically have 2-2 seat configuration so you never have to worry about a middle seat. Fortunately, on this smaller aircraft, you'll have a 2-2 seat configuration throughout the economy sections. This is why I love flying on regional jets!
The only plus with first class on this flight is the 1-2 seat configuration, which is perfect for those passengers who want a seat to themselves. Otherwise, you're getting the same seat configuration whether you're flying first class or economy.
So unless you need two checked bags, you might be better off skipping first class.
There are Cheaper Alternatives
Besides flying regional jets with a 2-2 seat configuration, there are a few other ways to get the first class experience for the price of an economy ticket.
For starters, you can find domestic routes that fly wide-body aircraft typically flown on international routes. As pointed out by The Points Guy, this gives you a way to book a premium economy seat like you'll find on long-haul or transcontinental routes, but for closer to the price of economy.
What you'll want to do is familiarize yourself with the hubs of your favorite airline and know the routes where they fly wide-body aircrafts. On Google Flights, look for routes that fly aircrafts like this American Airlines flight on a Boeing 777, which is widely used on international flights. An easy way to view what aircraft is used for each flight on your Google Flights search is by using Legrooms by Google.
You're going to want to pick seats near the front of the economy cabin where there are premium economy seats. For domestic flights, the airline won't label them as such. When you go to pick your seat, make sure to use a site like SeatGuru to familiarize yourself with the seat map of the plane to know where the premium economy seats are.
You will likely have to pay extra to pick these “extra legroom” seats, but the entire ticket will likely be cheaper than flying first class (which would be business class seats on these routes). You would basically get the same first class seats for the price of economy. These are international premium economy seats that are nearly identical to domestic first class seats.
While you won't get first class service, if you're just looking for the comfort of a first class seat, this is the best way to book.
Otherwise, you could book a flight with an airline like Frontier or Spirit that sells a first-class-like seat, but typically for much cheaper than you'll find flying any of the major carriers. Frontier blocks the middle economy seat in the front rows in a similar fashion to business class tickets on intra-Europe, while Spirit sells a “Big Front Seat” product.
Airlines are Charging Too Much
And while first class is much more affordable than trying to book an international business class or even first class flight with cash, you're just not getting the best value booking into this fare class, especially with points and miles.
For one of the cheapest first class flights to Atlanta (ATL) that I found flying out of Salt Lake City (SLC), you'll be paying over $500 for a one-way ticket. Ouch. But it gets worse. It'll cost you about 51,000 Delta SkyMiles to book at its lowest redemption!
Booking this flight using Chase Travel℠, your points are worth slightly more if you hold the popular *chase sapphire preferred*. Each Chase point is worth 1.25 cents booking this way, meaning this same Delta flight will cost about 44,000 Chase points. That's a little better.
But consider this: If you transfer your credit card points from American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Bilt or Wells Fargo to an airline partner, you could make your points go even further. For example, you could send your points to Air France's Flying Blue program and book this 8-hour Air France business class flight to Paris (CDG) for as few as 50,000 points! The fact that this international flight is cheaper than the 4-hour domestic first class flight above is unbelievable.
Considering that you're getting a better deal for a longer international flight, it's a no brainer. If a comfier and classier flying experience is what you seek, you're better off saving your points and miles to redeem them for an international business class (or even first class!) flight. You're using fewer miles for this Air France business class flight than you would on a $700 domestic first class flight. This Air France flight is worth over $7,000!
You'll also get a far more elevated experience flying business class to Europe. First, you'll get a lie-flat seat to get that much needed shut-eye.
You'll also get far better in-flight service, catering, and an amenity kit, which are not guaranteed on domestic first class flights.
Of course, you might be able to score a good deal to fly first class paying cash or points and miles. But for me, I typically avoid using my travel rewards this way knowing I can get more value for them elsewhere.
Bottom Line
Everyone should fly first class at least once. But we don't want to get your hopes up. It may seem like the pinnacle of luxury, but sometimes, it makes sense to fly coach to save your points and miles.